Flares

[TheBoys]

I ve been quiet for a few weeks taking my Methotrexate weekly and one Hydroxy a day. All seemed to be going steady apart from my knee which continues to feel bad.i now have to sleep with two pillows under or on top of my knee joint to support it. I also have a great mattress and topper on it. The knee just keeps getting worse and yesterday I couldn't get up or downstairs apart from going on all fours as my left knee can take no weight. The nature of the pain is now presenting differently being stabbing. Its also sore going to the loo, having to bend the knee. I had an easing of symptoms in Tenerife and recently in Spain but the past fortnight has been hell.

I m on 7.5mg MTX weekly... I spend most of my day in bed when i take them and am no use to anyone at the moment. Crap Disease !

[oldtimer]

Sounds like a candidate for a steroid injection!

Sorry to hear how disabling the pain is currently.

[TheBoys in reply to oldtimer]

Tnx

..im seeing the consultant in two weeks. I ll be begging for one lol

[mccaffs2014]

If I feel really bad my gp will prescribe a short course of prednisalone. Would this be an option for you?

[charisma]

Darned flares! I recently bought a knee support, looks like support stocking but is thicker and goes from below knee to mid thigh. Stays in place with silicone gripper dots. Got it on Amazon.

It helped me so much, wore it day and night! That enabled me to walk without it giving way, and no limping.

And it made a huge difference at night.

I am on a taper of oral steroids now so the inflammation responsible (flare) is much less for now.

[Hidden]

I too support my upper thigh and knee with a cushion because of Osteoarthritis in my hip

[Frankiefocus]

My knees got better when i changed to mtx injections. Far better on the stomach than those damn tablets.

[TheBoys in reply to Frankiefocus]

Tnx for that info. I ll mention it to the dr.. I have had this in my knee now for 18 months... they held off MTX until were satisfied my lungs were good.

[Frankiefocus in reply to TheBoys]

My knees were so bad i literally could not walk so my rheumy nurse put me on weekly 15mg mtx injections and have to admit i feel a lot better. At the start i had bad constipation so changed to a plant based diet, no dairy or meat and Im on top again.

[Hessie5]

Hi - sorry to hear of your pain... Brought back memories of me crawling to the loo as could not walk as inflamed feet and intense pain. I had to get steroids Prednisone which got me back on my feet, are you able to speak with your consultant?

[TheBoys]

Hiya, I be dropped them a line at Barts Hospital tonight.. so fingers crossed

[CagneysMum]

Most of my joints have calmed down injecting 20mg methotrexate and taking 2 hydroxychloroquin a day but my knees and shoulders were a big problem. In October last year they drew fluid off my knee and injected with steroid - and I’ve had no problems since. Both Shoulders are still an issue and my left shoulder is now starting to twist/deform with osteoarthritis but I’m going for steroid injections in them today and hope it works as well as my knees have. I strongly recommend asking for steroid injections. I’ve had short courses of prednisolone but the improvement doesn’t last.

[TheBoys in reply to CagneysMum]

Many thanks for this...i v requested this now from my doctor..

[CagneysMum in reply to TheBoys]

Had my shoulders injected on Wednesday which was not pleasant and they were quite sore yesterday ... but I can feel the improvement now already and i haven’t really tested them out yet. They said I should rest for 3 days to allow the steroid to settle. Feeling hugely optimistic 😁👍

[MagicalMarjieXx]

Bless you , When I went to Teneriffe after 2 days my body felt great the weather definately affects us , I love dear old Blighty but damn this weather is playing havoc with my joints too😩 I hope you get some help from your GP maybe Steroid injection? But really we need to All live in warmer climate X😀

[TheBoys in reply to MagicalMarjieXx]

I do really believe our weather is an influence..after the hottest day last week my knee went into overdrive with pain and swelling. I ve booked now to go back down to Malaga in two weeks time, hoping i ll be stable by then

[BonnieT]

My right knee is very bad and at times I can’t walk with it as it feels “ out of joint.” My term. I use a wrap around knee brace during those times and although they say not to sleep with it on I do but loosen it. A couple of days later it’s back “in” place. I don’t know why this happens or how the brace helps but it does. But no matter in or out, I still have a difficult time with stairs.